Great location in Bayside Village, close to I-80 and convenient for commuters. Units include patio or balcony, fireplace, dishwasher and air conditioning. Luxury community boasts 24-hour maintenance, clubhouse and courtyard.

Granite countertops, stainless appliances, in-unit laundry and hardwood floors. Amenities include parking, elevator access, a garage and parking. In the heart of downtown. A stone's throw to Union Square and the Financial District.

This beautiful community is a short drive from Franklin Square and the Soma StrEat Food Park. Inside, residents enjoy in-unit laundry, quartz countertops and hardwood flooring. Shared amenities include a fitness center, clubhouse and courtyard.

Upscale apartment building in a very walkable neighborhood. Building provides garbage disposal and package receiving service, and on-site laundry. Units feature walk in closets, hardwood floors and dishwasher. Pets welcome for an additional fee.

Close to the Van Ness Metro Station in the fashionable Hayes Valley district, this luxury apartment complex features 24-hour maintenance, elevator access, clubhouse and parking. Rooms include walk-in closets, hardwood floors and in-unit laundry.

Apartment building in the heart of downtown San Francisco featuring a 24-hour gym, clubhouse, conference room and game room. Units come with granite counters, hardwood floors, patio or balcony, and stainless steel appliances.

Pet-friendly apartments in a community with a dog run and a pet spa. Open-concept kitchens have granite counters and stainless steel appliances. Easy access to Interstate 280 and multiple public transit routes.

Fully furnished one-bedroom apartments across from Dolores Park. Unit includes hardwood flooring, an in-unit laundry and a dishwasher. Off-street parking included in the lease. Small dogs and cats welcome with fee.

Luxury community features rooftop deck, views of San Francisco skyline and fitness facilities. Residents enjoy units with private balcony, Caesarstone counters and A/C. Located in bustling SoMa, close to East and South Bay.

Residents enjoy luxurious in-unit amenities like patio or balcony, granite counters, and hardwood floors. Community features parking, on-site laundry and lobby. Located close to BART and MUNI for commuters.

Located a few blocks away from Union Square with easy access to the Financial District, art museums and more. Modern apartments with fully-equipped kitchens, upgraded lighting and fitness center and pool.

Located on Russian Hill, near Lombard Street. Restored Old San Francisco building with old-world charm. Units have hardwood floors, fireplaces, and dishwashers. Many have sweeping city views. Underground parking available. Gym and laundry.

Incredible views of the water in a luxury community off I-80. On-site amenities include a 24-hour concierge, garage, and courtyard. Updated interiors with hardwood floors, modern appliances and updated spacious floor plans.

Prime location close to trendy restaurants and shops. Two spacious lobbies, landscaped terraces, and a huge fitness center. Units have keyless entry doors, modern kitchens, and programmable thermostats.

"It is a good thing the early settlers landed on the East Coast; if they’d landed in San Francisco first, the rest of the country would still be uninhabited." (Herbert Mye)

Truly one of the greatest cities in the world, San Francisco is overflowing with world-class culture, cuisine, and charm. It also has the house from Full House and, as you might imagine, any city that hosts the fictional antics of John Stamos is naturally going to be popular, San Francisco being no exception.

More than 800,000 people are condensed into the city’s 47 square miles. The climate is cool and often foggy but rarely bone-chillingly cold, and it’s remarkably consistent (July’s average high: 68 degrees, January’s: 58). With thriving financial, technology, and artistic sectors, there’s a high demand for living space. With breathtaking views, historic neighborhoods, and the thrill of living in a cutting edge city, your dreams are about to come true. Now, let’s find you an apartment!

Having trouble with Craigslist San Francisco? Can't find that special apartment for rent on Apartment Finder or Zillow? Apartment List is here to help!

It's hard to imagine a better view of the city than from the Golden Gate Bridge at night. Unless you're on a hill looking at the iconic architectural structure, of course!

Affectionately nicknamed the "Painted Ladies" by locals, this row of houses near Alamo Square Park are featured in every '90s baby favorite sitcom: Full House.

As it turns out, Pier 39 is not just a tourist trap - it's also a favorite sunning spot for sea lions (and a death trap for their fishy food).

Finding an Apartment in "The City"

The vacancy rate in San Francisco is a miniscule 2%, with a whopping 65% of the city being renter-occupied as opposed to homeowners. Take some of the following tips to heart and you’ll have a much better shot at finding a spot for your extensive record collection.

How much will it cost? Prices vary greatly depending on what neighborhood you’re looking at, but it’s not uncommon to see 1 bedroom units for $2000. Lucky for you, the city does have rent control laws in place for apartments built before 1979 (most were), so you won’t have to worry about dramatic annual spikes if you do end up in one of those buildings. If your place is newer, be sure to ask about their history of rent increases, as 20% rent hikes after the first year have been known to ruin many's mood.

When to rent: Winter is the quietest season for renting, while Spring and Summer are busy. But be prepared; finding an apartment in San Francisco will be a challenge—a challenge that could take weeks, months or hours. Hours? Yes, hours. You should be prepared to plunk down your money as soon as you start physically looking at places, because odds are if you like it, someone else will too, and they’ll snatch it up while you’re home “sleeping on it.” Don’t sleep on it.

What you need: Be prepared to raise your game. With the competition for places being über stiff, you’d be wise to treat your apartment search like a job search (and a job search in today's economy, at that). When you get an appointment with a landlord, be on time. Be friendly. Be professional. Have your documents ready. Remember that 3-ring binder? Yeah, get that and put inside of it your credit report, rental application, letter of employment (or your 2 most recent pay stubs), references, and if you’re bringing a pet, you might need a “pet resume”—something to show the management that your precious parakeet has had all her shots and doesn’t have a record of biting people’s earlobes off. Of course, have your checkbook ready too because you’ll need to be ready to act quickly. A security deposit paid on the spot speaks volumes.

San Francisco Neighborhoods

There’s no shortage of quality and quaint neighborhoods here. We’ll do our best to break some of the biggest nabes down for you here, but for in depth neighborhood overviews.

Bernal Heights: Next to the Mission (see below), Bernal Heights has parks and restaurants.

Castro: Remember Milk with Sean Penn? This is the ‘hood where Harvey Milk made history. It’s close to the Haight, close to the Mission, and there’s loads of great shopping and eating.

Chinatown: A famous downtown community jam-packed with shops, restaurants, vendors and history.

Cole Valley: Just a couple of blocks south of Haight-Ashbury, Cole Valley is a popular place with some very nice living options. Cole Valley is one of the smaller hoods in SF so only a few blocks worth of rentals will place you in this area.

Cow Hollow: Area near The Presidio & the Marina. It’s pretty much just the Marina.

Civic Center-Tenderloin: Neighborhood contains an array of restaurants, along with City Hall.

Financial District: The central business district of San Francisco and where the city gets its beautiful skyline from.

Haight-Asbury: It’s flat here, so great for walking and biking and you’re close Golden Gate Park & the Panhandle for a handful of sunny SF days. Upper Haight is a bit cooler temperature-wise (and more shopping/touristy heavy) than Lower Haight, which is just down the street past Buena Vista Park and Divisadero.

Hayes Valley: Somewhat of an unsung gem, this area boasts great restaurants and culture. Hayes Valley is fairly centrally located among the other hoods mentioned, so it would make for a nice walk to the Mission or Haight.

Hunters Point/Bayview: Located in the southeastern part of the city, this is where you’ll find the 49ers playing at Candlestick Park.

Marina District: Marina is a neighborhood with a great view of the bay and great food.

Mission District: Here you’ll find murals, great food, and some rad thrift, antique and used bookstores. If you can, look for a spot near Dolores Park as this is one of the choicest hangouts in the city and boasts one of the best views around.

Nob Hill-Russian Hill: These hilly, cable car-loving neighborhoods offer spectacular apartments and views. Some blocks lack the Victorian charm of many parts of the city, so if you're adamant about crown molding and vaulted ceilings you might want to take a gander at Google Street View before touring for yourself. Nob & Russian Hill offer big blocks of residential living, it’s a great spot to consider.

Noe Valley: Another primarily residential area.

North Beach: One of the classic San Francisco neighborhoods, you’ll find lots of restaurants, boutiques and tourists here. Washington Square Park is always packed on Saturdays, Sundays, and, well, most days. If you can find a spot, it’s a great choice.

Pacific Heights: There are many Victorian homes here, and Lower Pacific Heights can be a great find with convenient access to the park, Fillmore Street shopping & dining, and Japantown.

Sunset District: Home to lots of parks and an increasing amount of surfers. Outer Sunset also has plenty of rental deals. Oh, and fog. The Sunset district is on the westernmost edge of San Francisco. Unlike elsewhere in SF, if you’re moving here (or the Richmond), you’ll probably want a car.

SoMA (South of Market): This is the perfect place to live if you work downtown. Filled with museums, hotels, and plenty of great restaurants, here you’ll find many loft style apartments, an eclectic energy, and baseball’s Giants. SoMA is home to many industrial and warehouse buildings & newer high-rise apartment complexes.

Western Addition: Home to the musically rich Fillmore neighborhood, this area also contains Japantown and has no shortage of Victorian homes. It’s primarily residential, but there are corner stores galore.

Life in San Francisco

It’s not “San Fran”, and don’t you dare call it “Frisco”

San Franciscans are a unique breed, and one that’s very protective of their home turf. “San Francisco” is just that, and nicknames of any variety (with the exception of “The City” and “SF”) are a dead giveaway for tourists. Also, Gough Street is pronounced “GOFF”, & and that “L” in Polk Street, that’s not just sittin’ there for kicks.

Because the city is just 7 miles by 7 miles, you’ll learn the streets well and in SF it’s common to use cross streets (as opposed to exact addresses) as a navigational means. Speaking of navigation...

The Hills Are Alive with the Sound of Muni

Public transportation is a major way of life here and there’re many options. Muni (San Francisco Municipal Railway) combines it all: light rail, subway, bus, trolley, carrier pigeon, you name it. Learn your neighborhood, ask around, and you’ll soon find the best combo of public transit. Be sure to order & fill a Clipper card online (or get one at a local Walgreens), as this is the form of payment most easily accepted on Muni vehicles.

For drivers, traffic can be an issue depending on where you live. If you plan on commuting to Silicon Valley, you’ll want to rent in the southeast section to ease your freeway access & minimize your drive time. Make sure to get an apartment with an assigned parking spot, too, as street spots are rare and parking tickets are not.

If you’re a fan of repeatedly putting one front in front of the other, you’ll love San Francisco; Walkscore.com ranked it America’s most walkable city in 2008. If you’re a fan of bicycles, great; you’ll have plenty of company with fellow commuters who pedal their way to work. If you’re a fan of forgetting to put your car in park – a very weird thing to be a fan of, we might add – then rethink your move here. Lots of hills mean lots of opportunities for things to roll down them.

For the true 21st century dudes and dudettes, check out Zip Car if you’re not planning on owning, but would still like to get behind the wheel occasionally, and be sure to download the “Transporter” app to your iPhone for real-time updates on Muni & BART arrivals.

In San Francisco, you’ll be treated to one of the world’s greatest cities, full of culture, history, open minds, and spectacular food. Congratulations on your move and best of luck finding that perfect pad!

February 2019 San Francisco Rent Report

Welcome to the February 2019 San Francisco Rent Report. San Francisco rents remained steady over the past month. In this report, we'll evaluate trends in the San Francisco rental market, including comparisons to cities throughout the metro, state, and nation.

February 2019 San Francisco Rent Report

Welcome to the February 2019 San Francisco Rent Report. San Francisco rents remained steady over the past month. In this report, we'll evaluate trends in the San Francisco rental market, including comparisons to cities throughout the metro, state, and nation.

San Francisco rents increased over the past month

San Francisco rents have remained flat over the past month, however, they are up moderately by 2.7% year-over-year. Currently, median rents in San Francisco stand at $2,460 for a one-bedroom apartment and $3,090 for a two-bedroom. San Francisco's year-over-year rent growth leads the state average of 0.3%, as well as the national average of 1.0%.

Rents rising across the San Francisco Metro

Throughout the past year, rent increases have been occurring not just in the city of San Francisco, but across the entire metro. Of the largest 10 cities that we have data for in the San Francisco metro, 8 of them have seen prices rise. Here's a look at how rents compare across some of the largest cities in the metro.

Daly City has seen the fastest rent growth in the metro, with a year-over-year increase of 9.3%. The median two-bedroom there costs $3,320, while one-bedrooms go for $2,640.

Over the past year, Antioch has seen the biggest rent drop in the metro, with a decline of 9.3%. Median two-bedrooms there cost $3,230, while one-bedrooms go for $2,570.

San Mateo has the most expensive rents of the largest cities in the San Francisco metro, with a two-bedroom median of $4,390; rents rose 4.0% over the past year but remained flat month-over-month.

Oakland has the least expensive rents in the San Francisco metro, with a two-bedroom median of $2,220; rents grew 0.7% over the past month and 2.8% over the past year.

Other large cities nationwide show more affordable rents compared to San Francisco

As rents have increased moderately in San Francisco, a few other large cities nationwide have also seen rents grow modestly. Compared to most similar cities across the country, San Francisco is less affordable for renters.

Rents increased slightly in other cities across the state, with California as a whole logging rent growth of 0.3% over the past year. For example, rents have grown by 3.8% in San Jose, 1.6% in San Diego, and 1.4% in Los Angeles.

San Francisco's median two-bedroom rent of $3,090 is above the national average of $1,170. Nationwide, rents have grown by 1.0% over the past year compared to the 2.7% rise in San Francisco.

While San Francisco's rents rose moderately over the past year, many cities nationwide also saw increases, including Phoenix (+3.6%), Austin (+3.3%), and New York (+2.4%).

Renters will generally find more expensive prices in San Francisco than most other large cities. For example, Phoenix has a median 2BR rent of $1,060, where San Francisco is nearly three times that price.

For more information check out our national report. You can also access our full data for cities and counties across the U.S. at this link.

City

Median 1BR price

Median 2BR price

M/M price change

Y/Y price change

San Francisco

$2,460

$3,090

0.1%

2.7%

Oakland

$1,770

$2,220

0.7%

2.8%

Fremont

$2,980

$3,740

-0.2%

4.4%

Hayward

$2,190

$2,750

-0.4%

-1.9%

Concord

$2,420

$3,050

1.4%

5.1%

Berkeley

$2,070

$2,600

-1%

0.3%

Richmond

$2,110

$2,660

0.2%

2%

Antioch

$2,570

$3,230

0.3%

-9.3%

Daly City

$2,640

$3,320

-0.8%

9.3%

San Mateo

$3,490

$4,390

0

4%

Livermore

$2,260

$2,840

0.6%

-3.8%

Redwood City

$2,750

$3,460

0.2%

4.7%

San Ramon

$2,980

$3,740

0.1%

4.7%

Pleasanton

$2,940

$3,700

0.3%

2.6%

Union City

$2,740

$3,440

-0.5%

6.4%

Walnut Creek

$2,430

$3,060

0.1%

-0.3%

South San Francisco

$2,680

$3,370

-0.2%

-2%

Pittsburg

$2,520

$3,170

-0.1%

7.4%

San Rafael

$2,550

$3,200

-2%

-1.4%

Novato

$2,580

$3,240

0

-3.1%

Dublin

$3,010

$3,780

-0.7%

4.8%

San Bruno

$2,750

$3,450

-1.8%

-0.8%

Pacifica

$3,000

$3,770

-0.7%

1.8%

Martinez

$2,410

$3,030

-1.1%

-0.7%

Pleasant Hill

$2,670

$3,360

-1.5%

2.4%

Burlingame

$2,560

$3,220

-0.8%

-2.9%

Belmont

$2,810

$3,530

-0.3%

6.1%

Emeryville

$2,400

$3,020

0

3.2%

See More

Methodology - Recent Updates:

Data from private listing sites, including our own, tends to skew toward luxury apartments, which introduces sample bias when estimates are calculated directly from these listings. To address these limitations, we’ve recently made major updates to our methodology, which we believe have greatly improved the accuracy and reliability of our estimates.

Read more about our new methodology below, or see a more detailed post here.

Methodology:

Apartment List is committed to making our rent estimates the best and most accurate available. To do this, we start with reliable median rent statistics from the Census Bureau, then extrapolate them forward to the current month using a growth rate calculated from our listing data. In doing so, we use a same-unit analysis similar to Case-Shiller’s approach, comparing only units that are available across both time periods to provide an accurate picture of rent growth in cities across the country.

Our approach corrects for the sample bias inherent in other private sources, producing results that are much closer to statistics published by the Census Bureau and HUD. Our methodology also allows us to construct a picture of rent growth over an extended period of time, with estimates that are updated each month.

About Rent Reports:

Apartment List publishes monthly reports on rental trends for hundreds of cities across the U.S. We intend these reports to be a source of reliable information that help renters and policymakers make sound decisions, and we invest significant time and effort in gathering and analyzing rent data. Our work is covered regularly by journalists across the country.

We are continuously working to improve our methodology and data, with the goal of providing renters with the information that they need to make the best decisions.

Renter Confidence Survey

Apartment List has released San Francisco’s results from the third annual Apartment List Renter Satisfaction Survey. This survey, which drew on responses from over 45,000 renters nationwide, provides insight on what states and cities must do to meet the needs of the country’s 111 million renters.

"San Francisco renters expressed general satisfaction with the city overall," according to Ap...

Apartment List has released San Francisco’s results from the third annual Apartment List Renter Satisfaction Survey. This survey, which drew on responses from over 45,000 renters nationwide, provides insight on what states and cities must do to meet the needs of the country’s 111 million renters.

"San Francisco renters expressed general satisfaction with the city overall," according to Apartment List. "However, ratings varied greatly across different categories, indicating that even though renters love San Francisco, some aspects can be better."

Key Findings in San Francisco include the following:

San Francisco renters gave their city a B+ overall.

The highest-rated categories for San Francisco were social life, weather, and jobs and career opportunities, which all received A grades.

The areas of concern to San Francisco renters are affordability (F), quality of local schools (D) and state and local taxes (D).

San Francisco millennials are moderately satisfied with their city, giving it an overall rating of B-.

San Francisco earned similar scores to other tech hubs, including Austin (A-), Denver (B+) and Seattle (B+)

San Francisco did relatively well compared to similar cities nationwide, including Los Angeles (C+), Philadelphia (C+) and Miami (C+).